Staff Reports
In a world where traditional family values seem to be cast aside like last season’s trends, it’s appalling to witness the latest seemingly ordinary birthday celebration that is anything but conventional. Recently, two men, Joseph and Nathan Hughes, marked the first birthday of their children, twins who were brought into the world through IVF and surrogacy. While the balloons and festivities might appear jubilant, it doesn’t take much to see through the thin veneer of this so-called family gathering.
As viewers might observe the video clip of the birthday celebration, there’s an attempt to shower attention on young Kyle with bright balloons and sugary-laden compliments. Yet, the focus should remain on what these two men lack — the ingredients necessary to provide these children with the balanced upbringing every child deserves. Despite the happy scene and colorful decorations, there is a glaring absence: the presence of both a mother and a father in the home, each offering their unique qualities and perspectives.
It’s vital to recognize that children need both masculine and feminine influences. These influences help shape young minds and teach essential life lessons — lessons that cannot be as effective when taught single-handedly or, in this case, by two individuals who represent only one part of the traditional parental dynamic. It’s a tragic oversight that some cheerfully dismiss, rather than address in earnest.
Joseph and Nathan’s decision to raise their children in this manner does a disservice to what kids truly need. It robs them of the quintessential experiences that come from having both a mother and a father. Society has long recognized the importance of the balance these roles bring; and it’s not just about the basics such as teaching how to fix a bike or how to bake cookies. It’s about offering a family structure that emulates the world at large, filled with complementary influences.
The controversial practice of children being raised in non-traditional settings opens a Pandora’s Box of questions and concerns. It sets a new precedent that, at its core, defies the wisdom of the ages. No amount of creativity with party decorations can mask the reality that these are children who will grow up lacking critical life-building influences. Let’s hope for a future where more people recognize the strength that lies in traditional family dynamics and honor it for the foundational pillar it remains.
